CFChooseField
Public Safety

Correctional Officers and Jailers

Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Correctional Officers and Jailers
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Median pay

$57,970
Median annual pay for Correctional Officers and Jailers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-7.8%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

30,100
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

387,500
Estimated U.S. employment for Correctional Officers and Jailers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-30,100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

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Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Public Safety and Security
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Law and Government
  4. 4Customer and Personal Service
  5. 5Administration and Management
  6. 6Computers and Electronics

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Problem Sensitivity
  4. 4Deductive Reasoning
  5. 5Inductive Reasoning
  6. 6Speech Clarity

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Stress Tolerance
  2. 2Integrity
  3. 3Dependability
  4. 4Self-Control
  5. 5Cautiousness
  6. 6Attention to Detail

Work activities

  1. 1Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  2. 2Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  3. 3Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
  4. 4Documenting/Recording Information
  5. 5Getting Information
  6. 6Training and Teaching Others

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Telephone Conversations
  3. 3Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  6. 6Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Representative tasks

  • Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.
  • Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.
  • Monitor conduct of prisoners in housing unit, or during work or recreational activities, according to established policies, regulations, and procedures, to prevent escape or violence.
  • Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs.
  • Guard facility entrances to screen visitors.
  • Record information, such as prisoner identification, charges, and incidents of inmate disturbance, keeping daily logs of prisoner activities.
  • Inspect mail for the presence of contraband.
  • Maintain records of prisoners' identification and charges.

Software and tools

Adobe Acrobat · hot technologyFacebook · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technology3M Electronic MonitoringCorrections housing softwareGuardian RFIDJail management software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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